Nerve‐Mediated Responses in Isolated Myogenic and Non‐Myogenic Arteries

Abstract

Small arteries and arterioles of the resistance vasculature can exhibit a basal level of vasoconstriction, or myogenic tone in response to an increase in intraluminal pressure,. Myogenic tone occurs without influence from perivascular nerves and the endothelium, and is most likely dependent on stretch-activated receptors which mediate depolarization and smooth muscle contraction. The aim of the current investigation was to compare nervemediated responses in myogenic and non-myogenic arteries, as data on modulation of myogenic tone by neurotropic factors is lacking.To address this aim, rat mesenteric and cremasteric arteries were excised and studied as nonmyogenic and myogenic arteries, respectively. A combination of immunohistochemistry, wire and pressure myography was employed to evaluate the effect of perivascular nerve activation by electrical field stimulation (EFS).